Canada At The Helm: Challenge And Change At The Arctic Council

Earlier this month Canada began its two-year tenure as the chair of the Arctic Council ("AC"). There is little doubt that Canada has assumed the helm at the most dynamic and challenging time in the organization's 17 year history.

Since its inception in 1996, the eight permanent members1 of the AC have focused their efforts primarily on facilitation cooperation and development in their common geographic spheres, and on issues that affected the populations in those areas. The AC's two principal resolutions to date have focused on cooperation in Arctic search and rescue, and responding to environmental disasters.

The Canadian Chair at the AC will be held by Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister of Health. Canada's stated goals for its chairmanship will be the promotion of business in the Arctic, as well as increasing opportunity for indigenous people to participate in the Arctic's development. The desire to use